Apr
24
Newspapers Make A Brief Comeback.
Filed Under Marketing | Author: Gerald Smith |
Are newspaper empires now making an investment in Hollywood? Hollywood has always been up for grabs. Hiding behind an excuse of “reflecting society”; when in reality it is the most influential platform in history, shaping society, accessible only by the loudest voices. And yes the digital domain is changing all that; as it has many other traditional mediums.
Three recent films “Marly & Me“, “State Of Play“, and “The Soloist“, all involve a component of the newspaper business; portraying its current struggle for survival, yet playing to the sympathetic side of viewers about the value of ‘real’ journalism. Who creates this stuff? Is Art imitating life, or is Art imitating investors intending to shape our attitudes toward the inevitable? Suddenly I’m supposed to feel bad because I do not read a printed newspaper? Or that I prefer to get my news online? Great journalism is suddenly limited to print? Anybody in broadcasting out there listening? You’re next.
This reminds me of a time, not too long ago, when attitudes toward motion-pictures were that “serious movies are limited to only shooting in film”. Need we be reminded again and again that the story is the asset. I do not discount the craft of looking through a lense and capturing life to be retold with intent. The same is true for the journalist. The medium is not the message. The message is the message.
Three great movies all deserving of awards for brilliant acting, and storytelling. And while we’re at it, give them an award for best “play on society”. And for a brief moment, I thought newspapers would make a comeback.
Comments
Leave a Reply